Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In the heart of town on a busy junction, the Pavilion is a tale of two halves. The smart, air-
conditioned restaurant has posh tables and makes a civilised setting for dinner, with well-
presented fish, vegetable and noodle dishes. For more casual dining, the neighbouring
canteen has lots of excellent rice-and-curry options and is great for lunch.
Information
6765;internet per hr Rs 50; 8am-6.30pm)
is the best internet cafe.
Wijayawardana (VJ) is a friendly English-speaking
guide
who charges Rs 4000 per day
for leading hikes or trips in a three-wheeler; call him on 077 649 1117.
Getting There & Away
Monaragala is a convenient junction town between the east, the south and the hills. Some
handy bus routes include the following:
Ampara
Rs 110, 2½ hours, hourly
Colombo
Rs 415, seven hours, hourly
Ella
Rs 105, two hours, six daily
Kandy
Rs 210, five hours, five daily
Kataragama
Rs 85, two hours, two daily
Nuwara Eliya
Rs 175, four hours, 9.15am and 2.30pm
Pottuvil (for Arugam Bay)
Rs 120, 2½ hours, seven daily
Siyambulanduwa (for Ampara and Arugam Bay)
Rs 50, one hour, frequent
Wellawaya (via Buttala; for the Hill Country)
Rs 50, one hour, every 20 minutes
Around Monaragala
Yudaganawa
In a forest clearing near the village of Buttala, the ancient, ruined dagoba (stupa) of
Yud-
aganawa
(Rs 100; 6am-6pm)
is an enigmatic and powerful site. Only the bottom third re-